The Just Kidding Around Collection comprises designs focused on fun-- purses and scarves for kids ages 5-12. The Ginger Cat, of course, could be made in colors to resemble any beloved kitty for the youngster in your life. I chose ginger-tabby, in honor of my daughter’s beloved pet, Tiger.

Ginger Cat is one of the Purse Pets, available as single patterns or all together in an e-book. These small purses are sized for the needs and in proportion to younger girls, who just need to be able to carry a few things (kleenex, extra pencil, lunch money, etc.) with them, and do not have full inner zip pockets or linings. The purses are crocheted at a loose gauge, for optimal felting, and then “magically” shrink and become solid felt in the hot wash. For this reason, it is essential to use a feltable wool. Photos and directions walk the crocheter through the process of constructing all the facial features, AND the felting process.

For all the Purse Pets, the purse body is worked in the round, and then the face flap and strap are worked in place, in rows. Facial features, legs, tails, and decorations are added in the finishing stage. This pattern, along with the rest of the Purse Pets, is rated Easy (but not Beginner), and uses US Crochet Terminology.

All the Just Kidding Around Collection patterns have been rigorously tech edited and tested by Joyce Lewis.